Review: group based parent training programmes lead to short term improvements in maternal psychosocial health

QUESTION: Are group based parenting programmes effective in improving maternal psychosocial health including anxiety,
depression, and self esteem?

Data sources

Studies were identified by searching Medline, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, CINAHL, PsycLIT, ERIC, ASSIA, Sociofile, Social Science
Citation Index, National Research Register, and the Cochrane Library for the period January 1970 to July 2000 where possible; scanning the reference lists of identified articles and reviews;
and by contacting leading independent charitable and voluntary childcare agencies in the UK.

Study selection

Studies were selected if they were randomised controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of a group based parenting programme
with a control treatment (waiting list, no treatment, or placebo) using at least 1 standardised instrument measuring maternal
psychosocial health.